For those of you who use more than one microcontroller platform and also use Apple computers - this project will be of interest to you. The embedXcode project is working on allowing use of the Apple Xcode official IDE for use with Arduino, Processing, Wiring, chipKit, TI MSP430 Launchpad and other platforms whose IDE is based on Processing. Having one IDE instead of many saves space, hassle and late-night confusion when working on multiple platforms. There is also a tutorial .pdf, project blog and forum to keep up to date.

Although the embedXcode project is a work in progress, check it out at the project page here. The project is maintained by Rei Vilo and not Freetronics. And we're on twitter and Google+, so follow us for news and product updates as well.

If you're new to Arduino, the first step is a solid board for your projects - our Freetronics Eleven - the Arduino-Uno compatible with low-profile USB socket, onboard prototyping space and easy to view LEDs: